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John,
I agree with your post. The problem I have with much conventional thinking when it comes to the GOP is that they have been beaten senseless by the Dems when it comes to message. Lots of people already believe that Republicans don't like blacks, don't like poor people, don't like hispanics, etc, etc, etc etc. Part of the reason the Dems have won that battle is that the Republicans spend too much time defending themselves. In my opinion, they should stop trying to disprove those ridiculous ideas and simply come out with a strong message on what they are FOR. For example, coming out strong for border security will likely offend some Hispanic voters. So what? The kind of Hispanic voter that wants illegal aliens in this country is never going to vote Republican, anyway. The GOP has already proven that groveling and kissing their butts doesn't work. Why not stop trying to win the "black vote", "hispanic vote", "gay vote", "independent vote", "AARP vote", etc. and try to win the "American vote"? Come out strong on basic, conservative ideas and let the chips fall where they may. It has been proven that when the message is properly conveyed, it works. The problem is the politicians can't stay the course. The GOP needs fewer politicians and more statesmen.

I nearly totally agree. Particularly that the GOP doesn't need to hide from the issues. Like you pointed out earlier, poll after poll indicates that most Americans consider themselves conservative, and certainly way more than consider themselves liberal. In theory, we should never lose an election. Except we do. Why? I think, in order of importance:

1. An inattentive electorate coupled with a media that is slavish towards democrats means people get their "news" in soundbites that are managed by people who want to see democrats win. This gets you a public that perceives Palin to be too inexperienced to be VP, despite being the top executive for both a city and a state, while Obama is perceived to be experienced enough to be POTUS despite his age, his meager service in the Senate, and that he'd never had a buck stop on his desk in his entire life. Like I said before, I think the GOP should stick to easy-to-digest, conservative core issues and leave the complex, big-idea stuff until once they have office and have gained trust with the electorate. Trying to explain Fair Tax and social security plans to an electorate who hasn't the time, inclination or energy to listen is a losing proposition. For pete's sake...look at the bleating on RTF before the potus site was started..."This is a dog site, I don't want to see anything about politics and will be offended even if you warn me ahead of time not to open a politics thread...but I will happily read the hell out of any thread having to do with puka shells, someone's ass size or whether Ford diesels are better than Dodge diesels because, you know, that stuff is so much more important than who our next president will be." Let the libertarians, greens and socialists educate the electorate. I want to get elected. Hate the game, not the playa.

2. Poor candidates with poor messages. Bless their hearts and their heroic military service, but Dole and McCain couldn't inspire a troop of girl scouts to run out of a burning building. Both Bushs proved that you don't need to be a world-class orator or champion of big ideas in order to get elected. Just pimp the conservative mantra (as opposed to McCain running from it) and don't have a bunch of skeletons in your closet and that should be good enough. The same applies to all levels of elected office on down to dog catcher.

3. Once elected, the GOP let the public down and became what they fought against. That shat has to stop. But first they have to get elected again to regain the trust.

The GOP should make Gingrich Chairman.
He can do no service running, but could hold the direction.
There are some very bright up and coming true conservatives.
Stop trying to appease the left.
Be who you are.
Guys like McCain, Powell (oh wait, he already cut & ran) et al (RINO's) should just leave the party!

Overall, what is needed is a complete change of culture. How to get there is better left up to the marketing folks than an engineer like me who doesn't fall for the emotional rhetoric.

A start would be, reduction in the size of federal government. Present the message as being for local control and emphasize the shortcomings of a one step approach. For example, what works for New York doesn't necessarily work in Alabama or Montana.

There should be an emphasis on the basic economic principle of "no such thing as a free lunch". Point out the negative effects of government spending and stimulation. Point out the effects of corporate taxes.

Appeal to folks personal experiences. Just about everyone of voting age has been to the DMV. Run ads that show a medical office looking like the DMV.